Author: CNN Newsource

By Tia Maggio

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    SAVANNAH, Georgia (WJCL) — Residents in one Savannah neighborhood say they’re fed up after a deadly dog attack left a beloved neighborhood cat dead and renewed concerns about safety on their street.

The attack happened Saturday in the Ardsley Park neighborhood near 48th Street in the front yard of another neighbor’s home. Neighbors say the incident is the latest in a long list of problems involving a nearby resident and his dogs.

Ardsley Park homeowner Lindsey Melvin said her nearly 11-year-old cat, Fitz, was attacked and killed by a neighbor’s dog.

Melvin said Fitz wasn’t just her pet — he was known throughout the neighborhood.

“Not only did I have him, but the neighborhood had him, the street had him. There were people six houses down that knew his name,” Melvin said.

Melvin says the dogs belong to her neighbor, Calum Crampton, who she claims owns multiple dogs that have shown aggressive behavior in the past. She said the attack that killed Fitz is far from the first incident.

“I’m not the first person to lose their cat. I’m not the fourth person to be a victim of these dogs in some form or fashion,” Melvin said.

Several neighbors told WJCL 22 News they have raised concerns about the dogs for years. They claim the animals have attacked people, children and other pets.

Police records obtained by WJCL 22 News show multiple past complaints involving Crampton, including reports related to animal attacks, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Johnny Walgate, who’s lived in the neighborhood for 30 years, said the attack happened in his front yard. He said the situation has made some residents afraid to even step outside.

“We’ve got women that won’t go out their front doors because he goes after them verbally,” Walgate said. “He has threatened women with guns. He’s threatened lots of people.”

One neighbor, who asked not to be identified for safety reasons, said she previously obtained a restraining order against Crampton after alleged threatening behavior: “We don’t go out the door unless we’re pretty sure he’s not out on the street. I don’t walk my dog anymore. I just go from my front door to my car and out the driveway,” she said.

Now, some neighbors say they want stronger local laws to address dangerous animals and irresponsible pet ownership.

Residents say they have repeatedly reported incidents to authorities but feel more action is needed.

“We call the police. We do everything we’re supposed to do. But we can’t do any more than we do,” one neighbor said. “It’s up to law enforcement, and it’s up to judges.”

WJCL 22 News reached out to the Savannah Police Department and Chatham County Animal Services for comment.

While Savannah police said they could not comment directly on the case, Chatham County Animal Services confirmed the incident is under investigation.

Neighbors told WJCL 22 News that animal control removed Crampton’s dogs from the home Tuesday afternoon. However, Chatham County officials have not yet confirmed that action. The investigation remains ongoing.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Ayron Lewallen

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    BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (WVTM) — The Oscars are just a few days away, and the group behind one documentary could walk away with one of the most prestigious awards in film.

“The Alabama Solution” sheds light on the state’s prison system. It’s filmed mostly through contraband cellphones given to inmates to share their day-to-day lives.

The City of Birmingham hosted a screening at the Carver Theater on Tuesday to give people a better understanding of the issues. Documentary co-producer Beth Shelburne believes everyone has a collective responsibility to understand the experiences of those who are impacted by the justice system.

“The film represents a look at some of the things that are happening,” she said. “It does not represent the totality of the situation, which is really comprehensive, and across the system, we don’t really get into the lack of health care for people in the system, the crisis with people that are suffering from mental illness. There’s so many issues that are happening, and you just can’t include it all in a two-hour film.”

Danny Dandridge is one of the men who made the film possible by risking his life to record chilling video from inside the prison walls used in the project.

“It’s more than just a film to me,” he said. “It’s my life because I lived everything in the film. I was one of the ones that stood up and fought every day for not just my freedom, but for everybody else’s freedom. It was a lot of injustice going on in the system. The administration killing inmates and hiding it and getting away with it. I couldn’t take it no more. I just stood up—me and the rest of my brothers and a lot more other people—we stood up, fought, shot videos of the incidents and everything that was happening and we put it out there.”

For some who went to Tuesday’s screening, it was their first time seeing the film. Cathy Lee told WVTM 13 she left feeling encouraged to do her part to create the change she hopes to see.

“It was heart-wrenching,” she said. “I was already very aware of how bad it was in prison systems, but it was disgusting to me to realize how our systems are being used in this state, and especially being used as a almost as a slavery situation where we have people out working in the public and not being paid, and the state of Alabama is making money from that.”

Shelburne feels there’s still a long way to go before changes to the justice system are made. She said she feels like our state leaders failed those impacted by the justice system and hopes the documentary will get them to do better.

Part of that was inviting Gov. Kay Ivey and Attorney General Steve Marshall to a screening of the documentary in LA before the Academy Award ceremony. She says those invitations were declined, though.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Brooklyn Joyner

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    JACKSON, Mississippi (WAPT) — A woman in Jackson is looking is to hold someone accountable after a young man was caught on her Ring camera trying to kick in her door.

Jacqueline King said her Pecan Tree Park neighborhood is quiet, and this type of behavior is unacceptable there or anywhere.

“Where are the parents?” King asked.

That is the question that lingers in her mind after she woke up Tuesday night to banging on her door. King’s doorbell camera capturing a boy kicking at her door.

“My elderly mother is here and the first thing I thought was she’s fallen,” King said. “We needed to see what was going on, and my daughter looked at the Ring camera, and she said that’s not what happened. She showed me the video, and I said, ‘You have got to be kidding.'”

The incident not only broke King’s screen door, but it also has her worried for the future of the children involved, whom she said she doesn’t even know

“You have some homeowners that are armed and the first thing they’ll do is shoot, and the next thing you know, this would have been a different interview,” King said.

This is not the first time 16 WAPT has reported on a situation like this. In February, a group of teens in Brookhaven were caught on camera going to multiple homes and kicking on people’s doors.

“By it happening in Brookhaven, something tells me we need to nip this in the bud right now,” King said.

King said the youth need positive activities to occupy their time, because if not, they will continue to make terrible decisions.

“You have in the summer vacation, bible school. Why not have something open to them during these periods where they can be engaged be enlightened and encouraged?” King said.

King said she reported the incident to police.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Yuna Lee

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    BENTONVILLE, Arkansas (KHBS, KHOG) — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is calling on residents to help protect endangered species like the Ozark Cavefish and Benton County crawfish by being mindful of water pollutants.

One of the biggest threats to Arkansas crawdads, also known as crayfish or crawfish, is water pollution. The commission says that by living more consciously above ground, people can protect the animals living underneath it.

“Whenever it rains, the water, it goes into nearby streams. But in these karst systems like Northwest Arkansas, the water gets underground really quickly,” Conservation Fish Ecologist Chance Garrett said.

Ozark Cavefish and Benton County crawfish live underground and are sensitive to increased nutrients or sedimentation.

“So any pollutants that happen to be on the landscape at the time get delivered into that water,” Garrett said.

Garrett said they have used dye to map out where rainwater travels in Northwest Arkansas.

“We track where that dye goes to understand how the water is connected to the surface,” he said.

Garrett advised homeowners to consider what they are putting into their yards.

“You know, do I have to spray this pesticide or herbicide, or could I maybe do some weeding with my on my hands and knees? Or do I have to fertilize my lawn again this month? Or is it really green and looking good? And that would be just excess nutrients,” he said.

The goal is to keep the natural state beautiful and alive for all who call it home.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Caitlin Ashbaugh

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    GREENWOOD, South Carolina (WYFF) — A Florida man who served time for narcotics charges is suing Greenwood County and sheriff’s department deputies after SLED lab reports showed they falsely identified his IBS medication as pills containing fentanyl and cocaine.

Bryan Getchius, alongside his attorney Tyler Bailey, announced a lawsuit on Wednesday against Greenwood County, the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff Dennis Kelly, Deputy David Keener, Deputy Wesley McClinton and Officer James Freeman.

The lawsuit demands a trial by jury, claiming Getchius suffered for crimes he did not commit. Getchius served 15 days of jail time and 16 months of house arrest for the following charges: possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and trafficking fentanyl.

“He loses his job. He is publicly ridiculed. People don’t believe that he was innocent. All because of this unreliable drug, field drug kit that was used,” Bailey said.

A 40-minute body camera video on McClinton’s person shows how the scene unfolded on May 15, 2024.

Getchius was pulled over in Greenwood on his way home to Florida after visiting his mother and family on allegations of swerving lanes. Getchius admitted he was carrying a suspended license, which prompted deputies to conduct a search of his vehicle.

McClinton can be seen in the footage locating pill bottles and searching online twice to determine what they were used for. Getchius told deputies it was dicyclomine, used to treat symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

In incident reports, deputies reported the pills were “poorly made” and “broke apart with very small amounts of force.”

“I begged them, I said, please take my urine. You know, I said anything. My blood,” Getchius said.

Deputies conducted multiple field drug tests, which produced a positive result for fentanyl.

Getchius was taken into custody and transported to the Greenwood County Detention Center. Shortly after, another drug test was completed and returned positive results for cocaine.

The results were sent off to SLED for forensic lab testing while Getchius faced the court.

“My mom, sister and uncle sitting in the background. ‘Mr. Getchius, you’re a slightly risk and a danger to the community.’ I felt like the biggest piece of garbage ever,” Getchius said.

Because of an 18,000-case backlog, the state agency did not provide lab results until October 2025. The report showed all of the pills in Getchius’ possession were exclusively dicyclomine, by both visual examination and other testing.

The lawsuit alleges prosecutors attempted to push Getchius to plead to a lesser charge and dismiss the trafficking charge, for which he could have faced up to seven years of prison without parole. Getchius refused.

In the fall of 2025, charges were dismissed against Getchius. His attorney claims he has faced thousands of dollars in legal fees and a tarnished reputation.

Getchius said he was honoring a long-term streak of sobriety and was working at rehab and addiction centers in Florida at the time of his arrest.

“They took me away from everything that helped me to get and stay sober. I was sent back to ground zero with nothing,” Getchius said.

“Sleeping in jail for days is something you can’t put a price on. This is, your freedom is everything. Especially when you’re sober and you’re accused of being a drug trafficker or user,” Bailey said. “We want to see some reform. We want to see more reliable drug tests being used. We want to see, figure out a way to get rid of these thousands of case backlog where innocent people are out there fighting for their freedom right now. We want to see change.”

Greenwood County provided the following statement, claiming they are representing the sheriff’s department and any related employees.

“We were informed today that a civil lawsuit may be filed against Greenwood County and the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office. At this time, we have not received or reviewed the lawsuit and are unable to comment on the specific allegations. We will review the filing once it is received and respond through the appropriate legal process.”

Sheriff Kelly told WYFF News 4: “No comment on pending litigation.”

WYFF News 4 also attempted to reach the individual defendants and did not receive a response. We are also working to learn whether the sheriff’s department has or plans to take administrative action, or if an internal investigation has been requested by SLED.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Peyton Furtado

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    TRAVELERS REST, South Carolina (WYFF) — A CNN documentary titled “Simril(l)s: A Family in Black and White” tells the story of a multi-racial family from South Carolina, who have come together despite a painful history, now sharing their journey at Furman University.

The Simrils and Simrills have their differences, even in how they spell their names. Their story traces back to York County, South Carolina, where Spencer’s ancestor was a slave owner and Klan member, while Michael’s ancestors were former slaves who testified in federal court against the Klan. The two men discovered they were related more than a decade ago.

“Knowing that my family had this connection with slavery and the Ku Klux Klan that was unknown. That was that that was that was buried, that had manifested itself in trauma and alcoholism on both the white and the black size within to find each other, to go on this shared quest, to become friends, to become family through the process,” said Spencer Simrill.

Their stories are traced back in tragedy to Harriet, who was left alone after her family moved to Liberia and testified against the KKK in federal court. “The Ku Klux Klan entered her home. They terrorized her,” Michael Simril said.

When the two families started getting together in 2014, CNN took notice. The families chose forgiveness over forgetting, becoming one big family. “We’re better. We’re better together as one and not separated and divided,” said Michael.

The family shares their story at universities around the nation, including Furman. Michael expressed hope, saying, “You know, like it’s almost felt like if we could overcome this, then we or others could overcome. I don’t want to say anything, but a lot.”

After the lights came up and people started to file out, the big takeaways were that we’re not all that different. And things aren’t always black and white.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Quanecia Fraser

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    OMAHA, Nebraska (KETV) — An Omaha mother says her child with special needs came home with a red mark on her face. She says her daughter was assaulted by a school bus aide, who is now no longer with the district, according to Omaha Public Schools.

“This is just horrible,” Tyresa Colwell told KETV Investigates.”In the picture, you can see a handprint, and you can see a welt mark of like, in between the fingers on her face.”

Colwell says she got in touch with the OPS transportation specialist.

“I guess I was more hopeful that maybe it was something that didn’t happen from somebody, so that’s why I was waiting for them to see the tapes,” Colwell said.

But that hope went away.

“So basically, (the transportation specialist) said that she sees him leaning over the seat doing something to her in an aggressive manner, but they can’t see exactly what he’s doing because his back is faced towards the camera, but it was enough for them to know it wasn’t right so then they put him on suspension,” Colwell said.

According to a police report, Colwell was told the bus driver got off the bus to use the restroom and a teacher went back to her classroom, leaving 8-year-old Lyric alone with the bus aide.

“She’s in a harness so she can’t even defend herself even if she tried, and she can’t tell me what happening because she’s nonverbal,” Colwell said.

In an e-mail, OPS said the bus aide is no longer employed with the district.

“Nothing is more important to us than the safety and well-being of the young people we serve. We care deeply about the students in our care,” the district said in a statement.

“How many other times, or (what other) kids could he have done this to that can’t speak for themselves?” Colwell wonders.

OPS told KETV Investigates bus drivers and aides are trained on how to interact with children with special needs.

Colwell said she was told she’ll have to view the video in-person. She said she’s waiting for her lawyer to be present with her to do so.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Russ Reed, Jim Keithley

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    SACO, Maine (WMTW) — A historic general store in Saco that has existed for nearly 100 years has been closed following the retirement of its owner.

First opened in 1929, the Way Way Store at 93 Buxton Road was owned and operated by several generations of the Cousens family until it first closed in 2003.

Saco couple Peter and Bridget Scontras then reopened the Way Way Store in June 2011 and operated it over the past 14 years.

“Basically, it was like the Kennebunk rest stops are on the (Maine) Turnpike or any other rest stop. You come here, you get gas, you’d buy food, you’d go to the bathroom, take care of yourself, and then you’d be off on your trip because there was no turnpike,” Peter Scontras said. “This was it. This was your stop.”

The Way Way Store closed early for the season in October 2025 following the death of Bridget Scontras, who had Parkinson’s disease.

“I can’t do it without her,” Peter Scontras said of his late wife. “I can sell the products, but, emotionally, she’s not with me and being together for 61 years is something you never forget. I can’t do it. I’m not going to do it.”

In a post shared to the store’s Facebook page on Saturday, Peter Scontras announced the store is “closed forever” due to his retirement.

“Finally retired with gratitude,” Scontras said in the post.

Peter Scontras had retired from teaching when he and his wife thought of purchasing the Way Way Store to use the vacant building as a roadside spot to sell and rent kayaks and canoes. But when he went to Saco City Hall to acquire a permit, the city planner pitched him a different idea.

“He started talking to me and says: ‘Have you thought of reopening the store?’ I said: ‘You’re crazy. I’m retired,'” Scontras said in a 2013 interview with Maine’s Total Coverage.

Peter Scontras said he was met by gratitude from the community when he reopened the Way Way Store, which still sold penny candy but also served ice cream and offered blueberry pies, maple syrup and pumpkins. The business was also kept going by Scontras’ original idea of selling and renting kayaks and canoes.

The inside of the Way Way Store was always filled with antique signs and products, which Scontras referred to as his candy.

“I’m going to miss the people. I’m going to miss the kids and the experiences and the stories, and the camaraderie and the feeling of happiness, and seeing people come in and say, ‘Oh wow, look at this! This reminds me of my childhood,’ and then they leave with a smile,” Scontras said.

The Way Way Store is about 3 miles away from Saco’s Mill District, the economic hub of the city in the early 20th century. That trip from the mills to the general store is how the business got its name.

“Back then, this store was quite a distance from the downtown and not that many people came out this far unless they were on a trip,” Scontras said. “So someone would ask someone: ‘Where are you going today?’ ‘I’m going to check out that store that’s way, way out there.’ So the name stuck: Way Way.”

The Way Way Store has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since December 1995.

Scontras said he will post a sign later this week that simply reads: “Store closed. Retired. Thank you.”

“We had a good run. We brought a lot of happiness and joy to a lot of people,” he said.

For Scontras, and a lot of other people in the Saco area, this is an end of an era.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.